Wisconsin turns to former coach Barry Alvarez for Rose Bowl

Wisconsin Athletic Director Barry Alvarez speaks at a news conference Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012, in Madison, Wis. Alvarez announced that he will coach the team in this season’s Rose Bowl, replacing former coach Bret Bielema who took a job as head coach at Arkansas. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

MADISON, Wis. — Barry Alvarez is headed back to the Wisconsin sidelines. For one game, at least.

Alvarez will coach the Badgers in next month’s Rose Bowl, where the Badgers will play No. 8 Stanford. Alvarez made the announcement Thursday, a day after former coach Bret Bielema took the job at Arkansas.

Alvarez coached Wisconsin for 16 seasons, compiling a 118-73-4 record that included a 3-0 mark in the Rose Bowl — the Badgers’ only victories in eight trips to Pasadena. Alvarez added the title of athletic director in 2004, and resigned as head coach after the 2005 season. Bielema was his hand-picked successor.

After a rocky regular season, the Badgers beat Nebraska in last weekend’s Big Ten championship. This will be their third straight trip to the Rose Bowl, a school record.